Team
Pakistan women’s cricket team has defeated New Zealand by three runs in a thrilling super-over finish in the third ODI at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The Green Shirts showed great determination and resilience to overcome the hosts in a nail-biting encounter, which saw the visitors set a 12-run target in the super-over, thanks to Aliya Riaz’s heroics with the bat. They successfully defended the target as Sadia Iqbal made things difficult for the New Zealand batters by restricting them to eight runs. However, despite the win, New Zealand won the three-match ODI series 2-1.
During their chase of a 252-run target, Pakistan suffered two early blows as they lost the wickets of Muneeba Ali and Sidra Ameen for just 37 runs in 7.4 overs. However, Bismah Maroof and Aliya Riaz’s 101-run partnership put the visitors back in the game. Riaz fell six runs short of a well-deserved half-century by becoming the victim of Jess Kerr for 44 runs. But Maroof continued to show her prowess, scoring 68 runs with five boundaries and was named the Player of the Match.
Fatima Sana and Natalia Pervaiz’s quick knocks down the order took Pakistan close to the target. Sana scored 36 off 33, while Natalia posted 26 off 23. Pakistan needed eight runs off six balls in the last over with just a wicket in hand, but Najiha Alvi contributed valuable runs at the last wicket to help the visitors level the game.
Batting first, a dominant display with the bat by Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green powered New Zealand to a competitive 252-run target. Kerr scored 77 off 87 balls with 10 boundaries, while Green played an unbeaten knock of 65 runs off 69 deliveries. Skipper Sophie Devine (29) and Suzie Bates (24) were the other top scorers in the game.
Before this series, Pakistan became the first-ever Asian side to beat the New Zealand women’s team in a T20I series. With this win, the Green Shirts have shown that they have what it takes to compete with the best in the world and will be a force to be reckoned with in the future.
